Off-duty deputies to provide Sonic Drive-In security

By
Sara Sneath
March 11, 2014 at 7:05 p.m.Updated March 11, 2014 at 10:12 p.m.

Off-duty deputies will provide security at Sonic Drive-In locations in the Crossroads after a string of armed robberies at the fast-food chain.

Three Sonic locations owned by Victoria-area investors have been the target of armed robberies. Two other Sonic locations also have been targeted.

In February, Sonic Drive-Ins in Victoria, Port Lavaca and Hallettsville began locking their doors at 10 p.m., leaving the drive-thru window open until closing time, said Garland Sandhop, a joint-owner of six local Sonic Drive-In locations.

The six Sonic locations made the change in hours after an armed, masked man forced four employees into a walk-in cooler while he robbed the safe at the Sonic Drive-In on North John Stockbauer Drive, Sandhop said.

Two more restaurants were targeted after the change in hours, prompting the owners to hire off-duty deputies from the Victoria County Sheriff's Office to provide security until further notice, Sandhop said.

"Our main concern is the employees," Sandhop said.

He said at least two employees are in the stores until closing, and drop safes are being installed at the six area locations.

A slot in the drop safe will allow employees to place money in the safe, but only a manager will be able to open the safe, Sandhop said. The safes cannot be opened by the manager until the next day.

"The doors are locked, and the employees are told not to open the doors until all the money is in the safe," Sandhop said.

A Victoria County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday that off-duty deputies would be providing security to Sonics.